USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 62
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h ARRISON REED. On the opposite page ap- pears a portrait of this gentleman, who is a Government employe in the revenue ser- vice in Peoria. He is the son of a well- known pioneer of this county, and for many years has been variously identified with its interests, and prominent in its business and social circles. He is a veteran of the late war, and fought in many battles, his valor and patriotism making him one of the most efficient soldiers in the rank and file of the Union Army.
June 30, 1837, was the date of the birth of our subject in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a son of Nathan and Hannah ( Merrill ) Reed, natives respectively of Kentucky and Maine. His father
settled in Ohio at an early day, and was a Govern- ment employe. In 1845 he came to this State and was one of its pioneers, locating first in Jackson- ville, and being a near neighbor of Abraham Lin- coln. He subsequently removed to Rushville, and in 1852 came to this county, where he has ever since been numbered among its most esteemed citi- zens. In the month of April, 1867, he had the mis- fortune to lose the wife and companion who had for many years shared with him life's joys and sor- rows. He afterward went to Iroquois County, and in 1878 was again married and settled near Wat. seka, where he still lives. Mr. Reed was a devoted follower of "Old Tippecanoe," as is evidenced by his conferring his name on his son, our subject, and he gave the grandson of the old hero hearty support during the last Presidential campaign.
Harrison Reed was a lad of eight years when bis parents came to this State, and twelve years old when they took up their abode in Rushville, and a youth of fifteen when they made their permanent home in this county. He first began business for himself as a farmer, and was thus engaged until the date of his enlistment in the army. As soon as possible after the breaking out of the war he vol- unteered in defense of the Stars and Stripes, and September 29, 1861, his name was enrolled as a member of Company 11, Fifty-seventh Illinois In- fantry, commanded by Capt. Josiah Robbins and Col. S. D. Baldwin, of Chicago, the latter of whom resigned, his place being filled by Lieut. Col. F. J. IJulburt, of Chicago, after the battle of Corinth.
. Our subject had enlisted in Galva, whence he was sent to Princeton, thence to Chicago, where he and his comrades were dispatched to Ft. Donelson. His regiment was actively engaged at Pittsburg and Shiloh, besides doing good service in the siege of Corinth, and in the battle at that place. After being stationed at that point some time, they were transferred to the Fifteenth Army corps, Sherman's command. Our subject and his comrades were with the famous commander on his "March to the Sea," and fought valiantly in the battles of Resaca, Kingston, Rome, Altoona Pass, Savannah, and Ben- tonville, and carried the colors triumphantly from Corinth to the sea. The weary and battle-worn veterans composing our subject's regiment were
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mustered out after that long march on the 25th of December, 1864.
Mr. Reed retired from the army to Peoria, and resumed the business of farming, which he con- tinued prosperously until 1870. Failing health then admonished him that he must seek change of climate and new scenes and occupations, and he went to Kansas City, and engaged in coopering for some years. In 1876 he returned once more to Peoria, and has ever since made his home here, and is pleasantly located at No. 808 Seventh Street. In the month of October, 1889 he was selected to fill a responsible position on the revenue force, and im- mediately entered upon his duties, and is still an incumbent of the office. Respect and esteem are accorded to him by his fellow-officers, as is due to a man of his well-known fine character and stand- ing in the community. In him Briner Post, No. 67, G. A. R., has one of its most interested mem- bers. Of an open and truthful nature, he is also re- ligionsly inclined and favors Methodism.
Mr. Reed and Miss Maggie A. Van Arsdale, a native of Peoria, were united in marriage March 7. 1867. She is a fine woman and is a representative of one of the oldest families of the county. Her fa- ther was a native of Maryland, and he and his wife are still honored residents of the county.
OHN C. ROBERTS, M. D. is a finely edu- cated and well-trained physician and occupies an honorable position in the medical pro- fession of this county, Peoria being his seat of practice. Our subject was born in the town of Morton, Tazewell County, on a farm, and there re- ceived his early training. He was ambitious to obtain an education and after he had left the public schools, he entered Paxton College in Paxton, studied there one term, and then became a student at Wesleyan University at Bloomington. where he pursued a fine collegiate course. llis mind early turned to the medical profession as his choice, and he entered upon the necessary studies to fit himself to be a physician, in the office of Dr. Chapin in Holder, McLean County. He subsequently entered
the college of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1887, taking the degree of Doctor of Medicine and hav- - ing pursued a special course in Pediatrics, he re- ceived a certificate thereof.
Our subject has obtained his education through his own efforts as he has been entirely without help during the long struggle. In order to defray ex- penses he sometimes engaged in teaching and årst taught in Ford County. After receiving his di- ploma the Doctor located in Peoria and has since been engaged in his profession in this city. He has already acquired a good practice which is steadily increasing as he is becoming better known, and a bright and promising future is before him in his medical career.
February 23, 1887, was the date of the marriage of Dr. Roberts to Miss Alice Casey, a native of Illinois, her parents being well-known residents of Bloomington. The Doctor possesses a bright, ac- tive, well trained mind, and his knowledge of medicine, and of the branch to which he is par- ticularly devoted is of a superior order. He is a man of purest personal character and of fine social attributes and is prominent in social and re- ligious circles in this city. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men of the Kickapoo Tribe, and is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and no scheme is put forward for the moral elevation of the community with which he is not connected.
OHIN GILLETT. M.D., druggist and one of the foremost citizens of Dunlap, occupies an honorable position among the representa- tives of the medical profession of this county. His father. the late Gardner Gillett, was a native of Massachusetts. while his mother, whose maiden name was Phobe Bishop, was born in the State of New York. In 1838 they emigrated from Ontario County, N. Y .. to this county, and settled among the early pioneers of Trivoli Township, where he developed a farm and was prosperously
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engaged in its management until death closed his career October 20, 1878, at a ripe old age. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying in 1869. They had five children, three sons and two daugh- ers, and our subject was their third child in order of birth.
Dr. Gillett was born in the town of Canaan, Col- umbia County. N. Y .. September 5, 1823. When he was thirteen years old, he went to live with a man by the name of Justus Mead, in Ontario County, N. Y., and remained with him until he was twenty-one years old. Up to that time his educa- tion had been obtained in the common schools. A thoughtful, stadious youth, he was very desirous to become more learned, and he then entered the Waterloo Academy, at Waterloo, Seneca County, and for a period of one and one half years was closely engaged at his books there, and pursued an excellent course of study. He next became a stu- dent at the Lyons Union School, which he attended a portion of one year. Ile thus acquired a solid foundation for any profession that he might care to enter, and for awhile he was engaged as a teacher. lle taught in Seneca County, having charge of a school at Seneca Falls for one year, and another at Waterloo, the ensuing year. At Seneca Falls he began to prepare himself to be a physician, and studied with a Dr. Brown for six months. In the spring of 1848 he entered the office of Landon Wells, and diligently read medicine under his tu- ition for two and a half years, and during that time spent two terms at the Geneva Medical College, from which he was graduated with an honorable standing in his class and received his diploma. IIe first established himself as a medical practitioner in the town of Romulus, Seneca Connty. N. Y. He was there one year, and in the fall of 1851 decided to take up his residence in Illinois, as he wisely thought that in a newly settled country men of his calling would be greatly in demand and that he would have better opportunities to rise in his pro- fession.
After coming to this State the Doctor took up bris residence in La Salle, where he was actively engaged in practice until May 16, 1864. In that month he had the sad misfortune to lose the wife who had accompanied him from his native State to his new
home in Illinois, and he then left that place coming to this county and settling in Trivoli. He secured a good practice in that town and resided there un- til October. 1871, and in that month came to Dun- lap. The village had been but recently platted and his was the first residence erected and he was the first to engage in business, establishing himself here as a general merchant in connection with his work as a physician, and his daughter, Jessie B. was the first child born in Dunlap. The Doctor con- tinued in general mercantile business till 1874, and then opened a drug store and carried on busi- ness as a druggist exclusively. The village has grown up around him and with its growth his bus- iness has increased and he now commands a very profitable trade not only here but among the resi- dents of the outlying country. His store is neatly fitted up and is well stocked, and his patrons are sure of getting none but the purest drugs or the best of anything that is usually found in a drug store.
Dr. Gillett has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was wedded in Varick, Seneca County, N. Y., November 17, 1852, was Julia A. Manning. She was a native of Owego, Tioga County, N. Y. She bore him two children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Their second child-Lucy Chester -- is now the wife of Morris .I. Rogers. In their home in La Salle, the wife and mother departed this life May 5, 1864.
The second marriage of our subject, which took place in this county, October 20, 1866, was to Al- mia E. Blood, a native of Trivoli Township; their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of one daughter, Jessie B.
When Dr. Gillett took up his residence in this county, its citizenship received a valuable aequisi- tion. Ilis high reputation, his attainments, his bus- iness taet, and his aetive public spirit have given him a leading place among the citizens of Dunlap and he has been potent in placing this busy, enter- prising village on a substantial basis. While living in La Salle, the Doctor was prominent in its pub- lic life ; was at one time Alderman of the city.served one term as School Director, and was Overseer of the Poor for four years. He was elected School Di- rector in Trivoli and has held that important
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office in Dunlap, and uses his influence in every way to advance its educational interests. He takes a lively interest in political affairs, as a loyal and intelligent citizen should, and he is an advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1851. In his religious views he is liberal.
[ AVID D. NIGHTINGALE is an old set- tler of this county and, as a pioneer of Millbrook Township, has helped in the development of this region, and is still identified with its agricultural interests, owning and occupying a good farm on section 20.
This venerable gentleman is a native of York- shire, England, and was there born November 5, 1810. His parents, David and Mary Nightingale, were also of English birth and breeding. When a youth of between sixteen and eighteen years, our subject took an important step in life, boldly venturing forth from his old home and taking passage at York, England, in a sail vessel, landed in Quebee, Canada, six weeks later, and thence came to the United States. He began his life in this country in Oneida County, N. Y., but after remaining there a few years he emigrated to this county and has been a resident here ever since. Thus much of the growth and develop- ment of this part of the State has taken place un- der his eye, and he has done what he could towards its improvement from the wild state in which he found it, to its present fine condition, as a well-developed and wealthy section of the coun- try. For a number of years after he arrived here Mr. Nightingale farmed on shares in Millbrook Township, and then bought the farm that he now owns and has made it his home many years. 1Ie was one of the first settlers of his neighborhood, and his farm, when it came into his possession, was merely a traet of wild, uncultivated land, and its development has been the work of his own hand, much severe labor, many sacrifices, and the hardships and trials incidental to pioneer life in a newly settled country going to its making-up. It
comprises eighty acres of well-tilled land, that is supplied with good buildings and every needful appurtenance for carrying on farming operations.
Mr. Nightingale was married in New York State to Mary A. Seaton, who was to him all that a true and loving wife could be. She was devoted to his interests. faithfully shared his pioneer labors and worked hard in the performance of the duties de- volving upon her in the care of a large family. She walked by his side many years, encouraging and cheering him in his work and her death was a serions loss to him. She bore him ten children, of whom the following are living: Adrian; Mary, wife of James Leery, of Kansas; Julia, a resident of Kan- sas; Harriet, wife of William Doddsworth; Fran- cis and De Witt.
Mr. Nightingale is well-known by the people among whom he came to settle so long ago, when in the prime and vigor of manhood, and among whom he has grown old, and all accord him the re- spect due to his age and worth. His pioneer work links his name with the history of Millbrook Township, and he will ever be held in veneration * as one of its early settlers. He has led a busy life, and has thereby secured a comfortable competence that will fortify him against want in the coming years. He is a sturdy Republican politically, and has served creditably as School Director, and has done what he could to further the educational, moral and material interests of Millbrook Town- ship.
ILLIAM W. VAN TASSEL, of Peoria, is a storekeeper in the employ of the Gov- ernment, and is one of the best officials on the Revenne force in this city. He is a native of the city of New York, born May 6, 1839. His parents, Albert and Harriet (Drawbridge) Van Tassel, were likewise natives of the Empire State.
Our subject grew to man's estate in the city of his birth, and was well educated in its public schools. In the fall of 1862 he came to Illinois, and gave his attention to farming till 1871. Then he took up his residence in Peoria, and engaged in railroading in the freight department, and con-
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tinued in that relation without interruption until 1889, when he accepted his present position under the government, entering upon his duties the 15th of October. IIis standing in the community is among our best citizens, those who are most ac- tive in advancing all schemes for its social and moral elevation, lle and his wife are among the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this city, and he has been prominent as a Class-Leader for many years.
Our subject was a volunteer in the late war, and his millitary record is honorable alike to himself and his country, and is commemorated by his con- nection with Briner Post, G. A. R. Mr. Van Tas- sel threw aside all personal aims and ambitions to take part in the great conflict, enlisting in the spring of 1862 in the Eighth New York Infantry, and for three months was in the service under Gen. MeClellan. In the month of February, 1865, he re-enlisted and became a member of the One Hundred and Forty-eight Illinois Infantry, and was engaged in battles and skirmishes in Tennes- see until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged from the army in the month of Sep- tember, 1865.
Mr. Van Tassel was married in 1861, to Miss Jane Boardman, a native of England, and of their pleasant wedded life eight children have been born, of whom the following six are still living: Robert W., who is engaged in the grain business in Peo- ria; Edward J., Hattie, George, Alpha and Ilarri- son, all of whom have been well educated in the public schools.
UGII MORROW, a native and a resident of Akron Township since his birth, is now one of its foremost citizens. For many years he has been prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits, having always followed the vocation of a farmer, and he has on section 20, a choice farm, whose improvements make it one of the most desirable estates in the vicinity.
Thomas Morrow, the father of our subject, a native of Ohio, was one of the early pioneers of
Peoria County, settling in Akron Township among its very first settlers. Ile was reared in his native State and was married to Eleanor MeMillin, who was born in Kentucky. They came to Illinois from Parke County, Ind., in the spring of 1831, and established their pioneer home on the wild prairies of what is now Akron Township, and here they lived until death called them hence. The father was an active business man and was a good farmer, and his death, March 19, 1848, was a seri- ous blow to the interests of the township. His good wife survived him until June 14, 1877, when she too passed away. They had eleven chil- dren, of whom our subject was the eldest.
Hugh. Morrow was born in this township, April 14, 1832, the first child born in the township, and has always resided in this locality. He gained a practical education in the local schools, and on the old homestead early acquired the rudi- ments of farming, and has since become very skillful in this noble calling. For nearly thirty years he was engaged very profitably in operating a threshing machine. He has placed his farm of one hundred and ninety acres under good tillage and has made all the necessary improvements that constitute a first-class farm.
On January 12, 1860, our subject and Miss Emiline Wilson were united in marriage in this his native township, and their wedded life has been productive of mutual happiness. Mrs. Mor- row is a daughter of William II. and Sarah (Wil- son) Wilson, who came to this county in 1848, and cast in their lot with the pioneers of Akron Town- sluip, and here resided the remainder of their lives. They came from Brown County, Ohio, where Mrs. Morrow was born, December 8, 1835.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have nine children, viz: Alice, wife of Alexander Gray; Anna, wife of James Kinney; Albert M., who married Emma Alter; Ambrose W., John R., Lewis A., Willard N., Evelyn and Grant R.
Mr. Morrow has faithfully and honorably served his township as Ilighway Commissioner and as School Director, and has held the latter office many years. In polities he gives a stanch support to the Democratic party. He is a genial, courteous gentleman, always willing to do a favor and gen-
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erously extending a helping hand to all who are needy or suffering, and the place that he holds in the hearts of his fellow-citizens is a warm one. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected for a long term of years, and their Christian faith is illustrated in their everyday life.
E DWARD MANSFIELD. Early identified with the agricultural interests of Peoria County, Mr. Mansfield has met with marked success in the prosecution of his calling, and has acquired a front rank among the stock-raisers and feeders and grain-growers of this part of Illinois. he being the most extensively engaged in these in- terests of any agriculturist of Princeville Town- ship. Ile is a large landowner, having many acres of land both in this and Jubilee Townships, and he has built up an attractive home, replete with all that goes to make life comfortable.
A native of New York, our subject was born in the pretty town of Esperance, in Schoharie County, August 8, 1826, descending from stanch New Eng- land stock. His father, Leverett Mansfield, was born in the month of November, 1786, in North Haven, Conn. He was a son of Richard Mansfield, who was born in that city May 24, 1763, and was a saddler by trade. He married Mary Stiles and subsequently died in North Haven. His father, Titus Mansfield, great-grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Connecticut, was a large land- owner, and was proprietor of the famous Mansfield Farm. Ilis father's name was Joseph Mansfield, and the origin of the family in America dates back to one Richard Mansfield, who located in Connec- ticut in the seventeenth century, coming to this country from Exeter, Devonshire, England, in 1639, and locating near the town of llamden, and from him descended a large family. For a further account of the Mansfields we refer you to the biog- raphy of II. Mansfield, of Peoria, which appears in this volume.
The father of our subject was reared on a New England farm in his native State and after mar-
riage went from the place of his birth to Esperance, Schoharie County, N. Y., which was then in its in- fancy, and became one of its prominent pioneers. Ile bought a piece of land in the timber, cleared it and made a productive farm of it and also engaged in hotel-keeping on the great Western Turnpike at Esperance for some thirty years. In 1843 he dis- posed of his property there and came westward as far as Kane County, this State, and settled near Elgin on a tract of wild land that he purchased on his arrival. He improved it and followed farming there until his retirement from active life. He re- sided with our subject for one year after that and then bought a place in Princeville Township, and there his life was brought to a close December 22, 1868. He was a sturdy Democrat in political views, and religiously was a stanch Presbyterian.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Sanford, and she was born in Northi Haven, Conn., March 8, 1789. She died December 20, 1868, in Princeville, her death occurring just three days before that of her husband, so that they who had been so much to each other in life were not long separated. She was a daughter of Perry Sanford, a farmer and a life-long resident of Con nectieut. The following is a record of the nine chil- dren born to her: Eliza died in Elgin ; Janett, Mrs. Lyon, lives near Beecher, Ill .; Stiles is a resident of Fair Haven, Conn .; Sarah A. died near Alle- ghany, Mich .; Henry is a resident of Peoria; Mariette died near Dundee; John lives in MeHenry County ; Leverett, who was a teacher in New Jer- sey, died in that State; Edward is the subject of this sketch.
Ile, of whom we write, passed the early years of his life in his father's hotel, in the place of his birth. Ile received excellent common-school ad- vantages and as soon as old enough went to assist his father in his business. When fourteen years old he left the parental home and went to Madison County, N. Y., and was engaged on a farm there for three months. From there he proceeded to the home of his ancestors in New Haven, Conn., where he worked in a blacksmith shop and on a farm for a year, and also had an opportunity to advance his education, by attending school in that place. He staid there until the fall, and in November, 1843,
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came westward with a team and wagon, pursuing a part of the journey on an old tug which was not safe, and as he found it too slow a mode of travel he left it at Dunkirk and proceeded through the mud and sloughs across the wild prairies to Chi- cago. This he found but an insignificant place with one hotel, for the accomodation of travelers. He came on to Kane County, which was then scarcely more than a vast stretch of uncultivated prairies, and among its pioneers he found work to support himself. In the fall of 1847, he bought forty acres there of wild land, but did not improve it, continuing to work out for others and doing odd jobs until 1849. In that ever memorable year in the history of our country he, like many others, was stricken with the California fever, and was one of the great multitude of '49ers who penetrated the Pacific Coast in search of the precious metal. lle rigged up an ox-team and wagon, and joined a party who had three other wagons and with them left Elgin, in the month of April, to perform the long, dangerous, and tiresome journey across the plains and mountains to the gold regions. They crossed the Mississippi at Burlington, and the Mis- souri at St. Joseph and struck the Platte at Ft. Kearney, following its route to Laramie, then going by the North Platte to Lawson, and from the South Pass to Red Bluffs, Lawson's Ranch, and finally arrived at their destination. They were seven months on the way, and were fortunate enough to have no encounter with the Indians. Our subject engaged in mining there on the Feather River, then on the South Fork of the Feather, and went from there to Hopkins, and from there to Poor Man's Creek and was fairly success- ful in his mining operations. Then on Trinity River he was engaged in the same occupation for four years.
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